Labeling machine

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the non adhesive application of sheet material wrappers, labels, coupons, and the like for holding rolls of sheet material such as a shade roll in a rolled condition comprising roll support means for receiving and supporting a roll of sheet material, wrapping means on said support means for receiving wrappers in a flat condition and including a pair of pivotally mounted jaws movable between an open, wrapper receiving position and a closed position for applying or wrapping said wrapper around the shade roll. Applicator means is provided for applying a short length of adhesive strip across overlapping edge portions of the wrapper which is coiled around the shade roll, upon relative movement between the applicator means and the wrapping means. Ejector means in provided for opening said jaws and removing the adhesively secured wrapped or labeled shade roll from said support means.

July 2, 1974 R. J. BILOTTI LABELING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1972 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG 1 L i; 3 ll 1| 2|2 am no United States Patent US. Cl. 156--351 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for the nonadhesive application of sheet material wrappers, labels, coupons and the like for holding rolls of sheet material such as a shade roll in a rolled condition comprising roll support means for receiving and supporting a roll of sheet material, wrapping means on said support means for receiving wrappers in a fiat condition and including a pair of pivotally mounted jaws movable between an open, wrapper receiving position and a closed position for applying or wrapping said wrapper around the shade roll. Applicator means is provided for applying a short length of adhesive strip across overlapping edge portions of the wrapper which is coiled around the shade roll, upon relative movement between the applicator means and the wrapping means. Ejector means is provided for opening said jaws and removing the adhesively secured wrapped or labeled shade roll from said support means.

The present invention relates to a new and improved label wrapping apparatus and more particularly to an automatic apparatus for use in the nonadhesive application of a label or coupon onto an article comprising rolled sheet material such as a shade roll and the like wherein it is not desirable to provide adhesive application between the coupon or label and the shade roll itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved label or wrapping apparatus for the nonadhesive application of a wrapper or coupon around a roll of sheet material such as shade rolls and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic wrapping apparatus of the character described including means for automatically initiating an operating cycle of the apparatus upon placement of a shade roll therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shade roll labeling device of the character described wherein the wrapper is used to hold the shade roll in rolled up condition without requiring adhesive material between the wrapper and shade roll.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved shade roll labeling device wherein a coupon or label serves to hold the shade roll in 2. rolled up condition as well as to label the shade roll.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved shade labeling device of the character described which utilizes adhesive means to hold the wrapper or the label in a wrapped condition but requires no direct adhesion between the wrapper and the shade roll.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved labeling machine having a new and improved pneumatic control system for initiating and controlling the operating cycle of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved labeling machine of the character described which is rapid in operation, extremely reliable and economical to operate.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished in a described and illustrated embodiment comprising a labeling machine for the application of sheet material coupons or labels around a roll of sheet material such as a shade roll or the like. The

3,822,163 Patented July 2, 1974 machine includes support means for receiving and supporting av shade roll placed therein and includes wrapping means for receiving a coupon or wrapper in a flat condition and applying or wrapping the coupon around the shade roll. The wrapping means includes a pair of jaws pivotally movable between an open, coupon receiving position and a closed, position for wrapping the coupon or labels tightly around the shade roll carried in the support means. Applicator means is provided for applying a short length of adhesive strip across the overlapping edge portions of the wrappers or coupons which are coiled around the shade roll and the adhesive strip is applied upon relative movement between the shade roll support means and the applicator means. Ejector means is provided for opening the jaws and removing the finished labeled shade roll from the mechanism.

For a better understanding of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a shade roll labeling machine constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, vertical cross sectional view taken substantially along the lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged cross sectional view taken along the same plane as in FIG. 3 and showing the jaws of the wrapping mechanism in an open position and the label placer mechanism in an operative position wherein a label is being placed upon the carriage floor;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the wrapping jaws in a partially closed positionf FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the wrapping jaws in a fully closed position wrapping a label around the shade roll; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a pneumatic con trol and operating system for the shade labeling machine of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, therein is illustrated a new and improved window shade roll labeling and packaging device constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention and referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. The device '10 includes a rectangular base or frame 12 which is formed of a plurality of parallel, horizontal, longitudinally extending side channels 14 and 18 connected together adjacent their ends by transverse channel members 20 and 22, preferably welded thereto. The channels are realtively heavy to provide a sturdy base for the components of the shade labeling device and the base is supported from the floor or other structure by vertical legs 24 extending downwardly from the corners.

In accordance with the present invention, the shade labeler 10 includes a moving carriage assembly 26 which includes a reciprocally movable generally rectangular shaped carriage and jaw mechanism; a single head, reciprocating label or coupon placer 28; an automatic tape applicator assembly 30; and an ejector assembly 32 for removing the finished, wrapped shade rolls from the label ing machine on completion of the wrapping and taping process.

The labeling device '10 is adapted to receive a shade roll or the like 34 in rolled up or coiled condition (FIG. 3) and is equipped to thereafter automatically apply and wrap a label 36 around the shade roll without the use of adhesive material between the label and shade roll. The wrapped label is secured by the automatic application of a length of adhesive tape across the overlapping edges of the label thereby holding the label and shade roll in a rolled up or coiled condition without any adhesive application to the shade roll itself.

Preferably the automatic tape applicator 30 may be of the type shown and described in US. Pat. Nos. 2,363,- 277, 2,449,047, and Re. 22,418, which patents are incorporated herein by reference, and reference should be had to these patents for more detailed description of the tape applicator. The automatic, pneumatic label or coupon placer 28 is preferably of the single head, reciprocating, vacuum operated type such as that manufactured by the Thiele Engineering Division, Cherry- Burrell Corporation, 105 West Adams Street, Chicago, Ill. Reference should be had to the Operators Manual (incorporated herein by reference) for the Cherry-Burrell, Model 106, Single-Head, Reciprocating Coupon Placer for a more detailed description of the structure and operation of the label placer 28.

The carriage assembly 26 includes a rectangular base or frame 40 which includes a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinal side channels 42 and 44 interconnected at their opposite ends by cross channel members 46 and 48 mounted on the cross members and 22 respectively of the main base structure. The frame 40 of the carriage assembly 26 is detachable from the base 12 and is normally secured thereon by means of a pair of downwardly depending attachment plates 50 fastened to the outer edges of the flanges-on the transverse channels 46 and 48 as shown in FIG. 3. The lower depending ends of the attachment plates 50 are connected with the web of the base channel members 20 and 22 by means of removable key pins 52 having pull rings thereon. Insertion of the pins through aligned openings in the attachment plates 50 and webs of the channels 20 and 22 insures precise parallel alignment between the longitudinal side channels 42 and 44 of the carriage assembly frames 40 and the longitudinal base channels 14 and 1 8 of the machine base spaced parallel thereof on opposite sides. As viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3 the right hand end portion of the carriage frame 40 provides support for the label placer 28 and for this purpose another transverse channel 54 is provided between the longitudinal side channel members 42 and 44. The label placer 28 includes a rectangular base plate 56 which is supported along its outer edge on an angle 58 attached to the web of the frame end channel 48 and at the opposite edge, the base plate 56 is rested on a spacing block 60 mounted on the upper channel flange of the intermediate spacer channel 54.

'In accordance with the present invention the carriage assembly 26 includes a carriage 6-2 mounted for reciprocal movement longitudinally of the carriage frame 40 and supported on a pair of longitudinally extending guide rods 64 and 66 which rods are connected and supported at their opposite ends by the web portions of the channels 46 and 54 respectively. As best shown in FIG. 3 outer ends of the guide rods 64 and 66 are threaded and extend through the webs to receive nuts 68 for tightening the rods in place in precisely aligned parallel relation between the longitudinal side channels 42 and 44 of the carriage frame 40. The webs of the transverse frame channels 46 and 54 provide stop surfaces for the reciprocating carriage mechanism 62, however additional stop plates 70 and 72 are provided on the webs and in addition, one or more self contained spring return, internal accumulator type, shock absorber assemblies 74 are mounted on the stop plates between the guide rods to cushion and absorb any shock forces present as the carriage 62 reaches the end of its forward or return strokes. The use of shock absorbers or other resilient devices permits higher movement speeds of the carriage block 62 on the supporting guide rods and increases the production rate of the shade labeling device without causing undue fatigue on the frame or reciprocating parts. The carriage block 62 is provided with suitable bearing sleeves which may be of the ball bearing type to reduce friction between the carriage block and the supporting rods 64 and 66 during sliding reciprocation of the carriage.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the carriage 62 includes a floor plate 76 adapted to receive the labels 36 when positioned thereon by the label placer assembly 28. For the purpose of roughly guiding the labels into position on the floor plate, ,a guide finger 78 is provided to extend forwardly of the label placer base plate 56 and the finger is sloped downwardly and forwardly toward the floor plate 76 of the carriage. The labels 36 are also maintained in position once placed on the floor plate 76 by means of an upstanding wall structure 80 which includes a plurality of corner side walls 82 for preventing transverse displacement of the labels once they are positioned on the carriage floor plate 76. The label placer 28 is provided with a sloped trough structure 84 adapted to receive and hold a stack of labels with the printed faces thereof facing in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 3). The trough structure includes a bottom wall and a pair of side walls to guide the labels downwardly and forwardly toward the carriage 62 and the rearward end of the trough is supported on a pair of upstanding legs '86 connected to opposite ends of a horizontal rear edge support axle 88 which permits pivotal movement of the trough in order to change the angle of tilt and thus the amount of forward bias on the labels toward the carriage mechanism. The forward end of the sloping trough is carried by a pair of horizontal support axles 90 and 92 above and below the trough to pivotally support the forward end of the same. The axles in turn are supported at their outer ends on brackets 94 and 96 mounted for adjustable sliding movement on a pair of upwardly and forwardly sloped guide rods 98 on opposite sides of the label trough.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the angle of tilt of the label trough as well as transverse placement and positioning of the forward end thereof is adjustable by the novel trough support mechanism so that precise positioning of the labels ready for pickup may be achieved. In addition, in order to facilitate pickup of the labels, the upper front trough support axle 90 has provided thereon a pair of stop fingers 100 to prevent the forwardmost labels from moving out of the forward end of the trough as label placement operates. A removable floating biasing plate 102 is provided to urge the labels downwardly and forwardly towards the stop fingers 102. In addition, in order to facilitate pickup of the leading or forwardmost label in the stack contained in the trough 84, there is provided an air nozzle structure 104 supplied through an air line 106 which blows a stream of air downwardly on the top edges of the labels in the stack to provide an air film separation between the individual labels thereby that only the forwardmost label in the trough will be picked up. The air jet nozzle 104 also aids in eliminating any static electricity between the labels in the stack by providing an air film separation between the surfaces thereof. The sloped guide rods 98 for the front end of the label support trough 84 are attached by means of end brackets 108 mounted on flanges 110 provided on a pair of triangular shaped, spaced apart, upright side plates 112. The side plates are attached and supported on opposite side edges of the base plate 56.

Individual labels are taken one at a time from the forward end of the stack of labels 36 held in the label trough 84 by means of one or more vacu'um type rubber suction cups 114 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and each label after pickup from the trough is positioned and deposited onto the floor surface 76 of the carriage 62 while the carriage is stationary in the rest or loading position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each type, vacuum suction cup 114 is adjustably supported on a hollow threaded rod 116 and the rods are threadedly engaged in arms 118 of brackets 120 mounted on an axle 122. The suction for operation of the vacuum cups 114 is provided through a vacuum line 124 connected to the ends of the cup supporting rods 116 as shown in FIG. 3. When the concave face of the suction cups is brought into close contact adjacent the face of a label 36 to be picked up, the vacuum draws and holds a label firmly in position against the lips of the suction cups until the vacuum is broken. It should also be noted that more than one suction cup may be provided and that each bracket 120 is adjustably positioned on the shaft 122. Similarly the threaded rods 116 supporting the suction cups on the bracket legs 118 may be adjusted to provide for precise alignment to insure fast and reliable pickup of the labels 36 from the stack thereof contained in the trough The shaft 122 is mounted adjacent the outer end of a pair of pickup arms 126 of a label feed mechanism and the inner ends of the arms are secured on a pickup shaft 128 which is rotated back and forth in an oscillatory fashion at the desired times in an operating cycle of the label placer by means of a double acting air cylinder 130 having its piston rod pivotally connected to an arm 132 (FIG. 2) on the pickup shaft. The opposite end of the cylinder is pivotally connected to the base 56 of the label placer with a pivot pin and bracket assembly 134. When fluid under pressure is introduced into the rearward end of the pickup cylinder 130 through a fluid line 136, the arms 122 of the pickup mechanism are rotated with the shaft 128 from an upstanding or label pickup position (FIG. 3) in a counter clockwise direction to a downward or placement position (FIG. 4) for depositing a label on the floor 76 of the carriage 62. When the suction cups 114 are in the position of FIG. 4, vacuum drawn of the line 124 is interrupted momentarily and the label 36 held by the suction cups is deposited onto the floor 76 of the carriage 62. The pickup arms 126 are then rotated in a clockwise direction with the shaft 128 from the position of FIG. 4 to the pickup position of FIG. 3 by the introduction of fluid under pressure into the opposite or rod end of the cylinder 130 through fluid line 138. As the shaft 128 and arms 126 oscillate back and forth about the longitudinal axis of the shaft during each cycle of operation of the label placer 28, a label is first picked up from the stack contained in the trough 84 and is then deposited on the floor 76 of the carriage 62. The upper shaft 122 is rotated a controlled amount in a direction opposite that of the shaft 128 in order to align the longitudinal axes of the vacuum cup, support rods 116 on a vertical plane (FIG. 4) when the arms are in the placement position for releasing a label to fall onto the floor 76 of the carriage 62. The label placer 28 is provided with a valve system (not shown) which automatically cuts off the vacuum from line 124 to the suction cups 114 when the arms 126 of the placer reach the placement position shown in FIG. 4, and as soon as the arms start to return to the upright or pickup position of FIG. 3 the vacuum source is again connected to the suction cups 114 for picking up the next label in the stack contained in the trough 84. Precision control of rotation of the shaft 122 in response to the movement of the arms 126 is provided by means of a chain 140 which interconnects a large sprocket 142 on the shaft 128 and a smaller sprocket (not shown) on the shaft 122. In addition, a cam and arm is provided for rotating the shaft 122 as the arms 126 pivot. The description herein on the label placer 28 is believed suflicient for the purposes of understanding the present invention; however, more detailed information on the label placer is available in the aforementioned operations manual incorporated herein by reference.

In order to form or wrap a label 36 around a shade roll 34 placed on the carriage mechanism 62 there is provided an automatically controlled, wrapping jaw mechanism which includes a pair of cured jaw members 144 and 146 pivotally mounted on a common pivot axle 148. As best shown in FIG. 1, the jaw members 144 and 1-46 are adapted to move between an open postion wherein the members are positioned below the floor 76 of the carriage 62 for receiving a label and a shade roll and a closed position as shown in FIG. 6 wherein the jaws are extended and pivoted upwardly to form a cylindrical enclosure for holding the label tightly around the shade roll. Each jaw member has a replaceable wear plate thereon adapted to engage and hold the labels around the shade roll when the jaws are closed. In order to move the jaws from the normally opened position ('FIGS. 3 and 4) to a closed or wrapping position (FIG. 6) wherein the label 36 is tightly wrapped and held around the shade roll 34, the carriage 62 includes a jaw actuating arm pivotally mounted on the Carriage 62 on a pivot pin 152 at one end of the arm. The ja'ws 144 and 146 are connected to the actuating arm 150 by a pair of springs 154 and these springs normally bias the jaws to the open position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The jaw actuating lever 150 is adapted to pivot upwardly from the open position of FIGS. 3 and 4 to the closed position of FIG. 6 and as it pivots in the counterclockwise direction the upper edge thereof engages camming surfaces on the jaws 144 and 146 causing the jaws to close against the force of the biasing springs 154 which are stretched out by the closing action. Movement of the pivot arm 150 from the nearly horizontal, jaw open position to the upwardly sloped jaw closed position as shown in FIG. 6 is accomplished by means of a single acting pneumatic jaw cylinder 156 having a fluid inlet line 158 at the lower end and mounted for pivotal movement on the carriage 62 by means of a pin 160. The upper or outer end of the pistion rod of the cylinder 156 is pivotally connected to the jaw actuating lever 150 by means of a clevis and pin assembly 162. The jaw cylinder 156 includes an internal spring which normally returns the piston to the lower end of the cylinder and thus normally moves the jaw assembly to the open position except when fluid under pressure is supplied to the lower end of the cylinder via the fluid line 158. The ja'w cylinder is mounted on and moves with the carriage 62 and flexible fluid lines are provided to interconnect the cylinder to a source of pneumatic fluid in order to accommodate the sliding movement of the carriage mechanism.

In order to facilitate placement of the shade rolls 34 on the carriage 62 and for holding the shades in rolled condition, the device includes a plurality of upright holding brackets 164, each having a trapezoidal shaped slot open at the upper end to receive the shade rolls. Each slot has sloped, opposite side wedging surfaces therein for engaging the roll and holding it in rolled condition accurately aligned transversely with the axis of movement of the carriage assembly 62 parallel of the guide rods 64 and '66. One pair of the shade holding brackets 164 are positioned closely adjacent opposite edges of the carriage 62 and a third or outer holder 164 is positioned adjacent the outer end of an extension bar 166 which terminates short of the longitudinal frame member 14 and includes a support roll 168 for guiding engagement on a track member 170 secured along the inside edge of the frame member. In order to aid an operator and guide the placement of a rolled window shade 34 in the holders 16-4 on the carriage '62, there is provided an end guide plate 172 which projects upwardly from the inside edge of the channel member 44 of the carriage assembly flame 40. A pair of convergent sloped guide bars 174 and 176 (FIG. 3) are provided on the end guide 172 to direct the end of a shade roll downwardly toward alignment with the upwardly opening slots in the shade roll holders 164. In addition, the labeler 10 is provided with a guide bracket assembly 178 secured to the main frame channel member 14 for guiding the opposite outer end of the shade roll into position in the carriage. The guide bracket 178 includes a sloping guide bar 180 which is parallel to the guide bar 176 and which is adjustable with respect to the position of the shade guide holders 164 on the carriage by means of an adjustable hand wheel 182. The hand wheel 182 is mounted on an adjustment bolt 184 which projects through an upright flange sec tion 186 of the bracket assembly and through a supporting flange 188 for the guide bar 180 as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In accordance with the present invention in order to sense the presence of a shade roll 34 when it is placed in aligned position along the carriage 62 and seated in the slots of the shade holders 164, there is provided a pair of sensing air switches 190 and 192, each being activated by a sensor reed 194 which normally extends into the path occupied by a shade roll and accordingly depressed when the shade roll is properly positioned in the holders 164 ready for operation. As indicated in the schematic diagram in FIG. 7, the shade sensing air switches 190 and 192 are connected in series in order that both ends of a shade roll 34 must be properly and fully seated in the outer brackets 164 before an operating cycle of the labeler 10 will be initiated. Until a shade is positioned in the holders 164 of the carriage 62 and both air switches 190 and 192 are activated, an operating cycle will not be initiated and accordingly the possibility of jam ups or malfunctions because of improper positioning of a shade roll are greatly reduced. After placement of a label 36 in position on the floor 76 of the carriage by the coupon placer 28 a shade roll 34 is manually positioned in the holders 164 and when both of the air switches 190 and 192 are activated, the wrapping jaws 144 and 146 are moved from the open to the closed position causing the label to be wrapped tightly around the shade roll. After this occurs, the loaded carriage moves out of the normal or rest position adjacent the label feeder 28 and passes under the tape applicator assembly 30. As this occurs, a short length of adhesive tape 38 which has been previously extended downwardly into the path of the label 36 is picked up by the label to adhesively secure the overlapping edges of the label and tightly hold the label in wrapped condition around the shade roll. Reference to the aforementioned patents will disclose a more detailed view of the mechanism and operating characteristics of the tape applicator 30 and it is sufficient herein to indicate that a short length of adhesive tape 38 is applied across the overlapping edges of the wrapped label 36 to hold the label in tightly wrapped condition around the shade roll '34 as the carriage moves below the tape applicator 30. The applicator includes a roller 196 mounted on the end of an actuator arm 198 which is deflected as a shade roll in the carriage passes beneath the applicator. Deflection of the arm functions to cycle the applicator mechanism and dispense another short length of tape 38 into position awaiting and ready for pickup on the next cycle of carriage operation. The applicator roller 196 also firmly forces the adhesive tape strip 38 onto the outer surface of the label which is wrapped around the shade roll.

As the carriage 62 continues on toward the end of its forward stroke (position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3) an applicator brush 200 extending downwardly from an arm of the tape applicator base insures that the adhesive tape strip 38 is firmly adhered to the label. The tape applicator 30 is mounted on an upright support structure 202 carried on the side channel frame member 44 of the carriage frame and accordingly the tape applicator'can be readily detached and replaced if mechanical difficulties occur.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the tape applicator 30 is mechanically activated by the passage of a shade roll carried in the carriage 62 as it moves beneath the roll applicator 196. On a return stroke of the carriage 62, the absence of a shade roll in the carriage permits free passage of the carriage without engagement with the applicator roll 196 which stands ready for the next operating cycle of the carriage. As the carriage 62 reaches the end of a forward stroke and is in position adjacent the stop plate 70 on the frame member 46( dotted lines in FIG. 3), it passes over an air switch 204 which is'connected in accordance with the diagram of FIG. 7 in order to effect 8 an opening of the jaws 144 and 146. In addition, the air switch for jaw opening also initiates action of the ejector mechanism 32 for removing the finished product comprising a labeled shade roll and discharging the same from the machine. As indicated by the diagram in FIG. 7 the activated air switch 204 supplies fluid through a line 206 and an ejector control air switch 208 for activating an ejector motor 210 for controlling the ejector assembly 32.

In accordance with the present invention the ejector assembly 32 includes a main shaft 212 supported at opposite ends on suitable bearing block assemblies 214 carried on the main frame 12 of the labeler 10. The shaft 212 is adapted to be oscillated back and forth about its longitudinal axis through an angle of approximately degrees. The ejector includes a lift frame 216 having an upstanding edge member 218 along one side for engaging and picking a finished shade roll 34 from the shade roll holders 164 on the carriage 62. The lift frame is secured to the oscillating shaft 212 and in each cycle of operation is pivoted from a normal or rest position -(solid lines in FIG. 3) to an ejection or discharge position (dotted lines) wherein the finished shade roll 34 is free to move In the direction of the dotted arrow A to slide downwardly from the machine onto a guide chute structure 220 for directing the finished shade rolls into a packing box or carton. As shown in plan view in FIG. 1 the lift frame 216 and edge member 218 are notched out as 222 in order to accommodate the outer shade holder 164 adjacent the frame member 14 when the carriage 62 is in the full forward position adjacent the ejector assembly at the end of a forward stroke. As best shown in FIG. 3 when the ejector motor 210 is activated to rotate the shaft in a counter clockwise direction the shade roll is picked up by the edge member 218 and lifted out of the holders 164 on the carriage to an elevated position wherein the shade begins to roll downwardly for discharge from the labeling labeling machine. When the ejector lift frame 216 reaches the discharge position .(dotted lines in FIG. 3), an air switch 224 is activated by the lower edge of the frame and this initiates return of the carriage 62 to its original or rest position ready for the next shade 34 to be seated in the holders 164 thereof. As the carriage 162 moves on a return stroke from left to right (FIG. 3) towards the starting position, another air switch 226 is momentarily activated on the fly as the carriage moves past. Activation of air switch 226 initiates the return of the ejector lift frame 216 to the receiving or rest position (solid lines FIG. '3). In addition, momentary activation of the air switch 226 also initiates the label placer 28 to begin a new cycle of operation to pick up a label from the trough 84 and deposit the same in position on the floor 76 of the carriage 62 as previously described.

Movement of the carriage 62 on a forward and a return stroke as just described is accomplished by means of a carriage control cylinder 228 having the outer end of its piston rod 230 connected to the carriage 62 as best shown in FIG. 3. The carriage cylinder 228 is a double acting cylinder and is aligned parallel and between the centerlines extended of the carriage guide rods 64 and 66 beneath the base plate 56 of the label placer 28. Fluid is introduced into opposite ends of the cylinder through fluid lines 232 and 234 (FIG. 7) in order to move the carriage 62 back and forth in an operating cycle including forward and return strokes. As best shown in FIG. 2, when the label placer 28 has been activated to place a fresh coupon or label 36 on the floor 76 of the carriage 62, the pickup cylinder pivots in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin of the supporting pivot bracket 134 at the rear end of the cylinder and after sufficient movement to place a label on the carriage 62 as previously described, the forward end of the cylinder engages an air switch 236 for initiating return of the pickup arms 126 to the upwardly extending position as shown in FIG. 3. Engagement of the air switch 236 reverses the fl-uid flow into the pickup cylinder 130 and causes the rod to be retracted.

(Referring now more particularly to FIG. 7 of the drawings, therein is illustrated a schematic diagram of the pneumatic system for controlling a cycle of operation of the automatic shade labeling device 10 of the invention in order to automatically wrap a label 36 around a shade roll 34 and subsequently adhesively secure the label in wrapped condition with an adhesive tape strip 36 before discharge of the finished wrapped shade roll and return of the carriage 62 to a position ready for the next cycle of operation. The pneumatic system of the shade labeling device is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of compressed air such as that commonly available in industrial plants and the like and the control system includes a control box 238 mounted on the side frame member 18 of the frame. The box or enclosure 238 holds many of the components of the pneumatic control system and i indicated schematically in dotted lines in FIG. 7. The fluid system includes an input conduit 240 adapted to be connected to convenient source of compressed air and a main shut off valve 242 and filter are provided in the input conduit which is also provided with a pressure regulator valve 246 and gauge. The pressure regulator valve maintains a relatively constant operating pressure for the fluid system and output therefrom is delivered to a first or main air supply branch conduit 248 for operating the cylinders 130, 156, 228 and the ejector motor 210. Output from the regulator is also supplied to a second, control air branch conduit 250 which provides fluid for the air switches and for components of the label placer 28. The main air branch conduit 248 is provided with a lubricator 252 and a main air branch shut off valve 254 which is manually interconnected with an operator safety valve 256 as indicated schematically by the dotted line 258. A quick disconnect fitting 260 is provided in the main air branch line 248 to provide disconnect capability between the fluid supply and components supplied via the control housing 238. The control air branch conduit 250 is provided with an extremely fine mesh, cloth type filter 262 to prevent impurities from entering the air switches and associated control conduits and a similar quick disconnect 264 is provided to disconnect the supply of fluid from the components supplied through the control housing 238.

In order to prevent unauthorized operation of the shade labeling device, a key operated control valve 266 is provided in the control air branch conduit 250 and, for the purpose of providing a vacuum source for the vacuum line 124 leading to the pickup suction cups 114 of the label placer 28, a venturi type transducer 268 is used. The transducer has a venturi nozzle which generates a low pressure and is connected with the vacuum line 124. Air for operating the venturi nozzle is supplied through a branch conduit 270, connected to the control supply branch 250 and a suitable control valve 272 is provided for turning the transducer on and off and adjusting the flow to draw the desired amount of vacuum in the line 124. Exhaust air from the transducer venturi is passed out through an exhaust conduit 274.

Air for the label separating nozzle structure 104 and its supply line 106 is provided through another branch conduit 276 having an adjustable control valve 278 therein for regulating the amount of air flow used for this purpose.

In accordance with the present invention, the cylinders 130, 156 and 228 and the ejector motor 210 are controlled by means of a plurality of control valves 280, 282, 284 and 286- respectively, which valves are shown in their normal operative or rest positions with the valve spools thereof displaced toward the right hand end. All of the valves in turn are controlled and actuated by means of one or more air switches and, in addition, another air switch 288 is provided for manual pickup of a fresh label 36 from the trough 84 in case of a failure to pick up a 10 label in the automatic cycle of operation of the label placer. With the exception of the air switches 236 and 256 all of the other air switches are shown in the diagram of FIG. 7 in their activated positions. Upon release of the means activating these switches the switch will return to the normal or rest position as shown.

In accordance with the present invention, the air switches 190 and 192 are connected in series along a branch conduit 290 supplied from the control air supply branch 250. When a shade roll 34 is placed in the shade roll holders 164 of the carriage 62 the air switches 190 and 192 are activated to the position shown permittir g pressurized fluid to flow through the conduit 290 which is divided into a first branch 292 running to the right hand side of the valve 282 causing the spool to shift to the left and thereby connect pressurized fluid to the lower end of the jaw cylinder 156 via a branch conduit 294 which provides input to the valve 282, and a valve outlet conduit 296 and a flow restrictor 298 running to the jaw cylinder. When the valve spool is shifted, pressurized air fills the lower end of the jaw cylinder 156 causing the jaws 144 and 146 to wrap a coupon or label 36 previously placed on the floor 76 of the carriage 62 around the shade roll 34 therein. Simultaneously a second branch conduit 300 carries pressurized air from the conduit 290 through a flow restrictor 302 to the right hand end of the valve 284 for controlling the carriage cylinder 228. The flow restrictor 302 provides a delay period before the valve spool of the valve 284 is shifted to the left and the delay period of the flow restrictor 302 is set up to permit the jaw cylinder 156 to fully close the jaws 144 and 146 before movement of the carriage commences. When the valve spool of valve 284 shifts to the left in response to the pulse of air through the flow restrictor 302 and conduit 300, the pressurized fluid in the main air branch 248 is directed via an input conduit 304 to the valve 284 through an output fluid line 232 to move the carriage cylinder piston rod outwardly and start the carriage 62 on an advancing or forward stroke toward the tape applicator 30 and ejector mechanism 32 with the jaws held closed. Shifting of the valve spool in valve 284 also permits fluid to be exhausted from the rod end of the carriage cylinder 228- via a return fluid conduit 234 and an exhaust port in the valve.

As the carriage passes beneath the tape applicator a short strip of adhesive tape 38 is applied onto the label 36 held in wrapped condition around the shade roll by the jaws and the tape application holds the label and shade rolled up without any adhesive connection between the label and the shade roll. As the carriage proceeds on its advancing stroke beyond the tape applicator 30, the air switch 204 is engaged by means on the carriage and is moved to the activated position as shown. When this occurs, pressurized air is delivered through an input conduit 306 to the air switch and out through a conduit 308 connected to the left hand or return side of the valve 282. Fluid from the conduit 308 causes the valve spool of valve 282 to shift back to the right toward the position shown and this permits the pressurized fluid in the lower end of the jaw cylinder 15-6 to be slowly exhausted to the atmosphere through the conduit 158, flow restrictor 298 and conduit 296. The jaws 144 and 146 are then opened so that the finished shade roll may be removed by the ejector means 22. At the same time communication is established between the second outlet line 310 from the valve 282 leading to an input port on the valve 280; however, the valve 280 remains in the position shown and fluid flow to the label pickup fluid cylinder does not change. A pressurized fluid supply is again established between the main air branch 248 and the rod end of the cylinder 130 via the input conduit 294, the valve 282, a connecting branch conduit 310 and the fluid line 138. The opposite end of the cylinder 130 is exhausted to the atmosphere via the conduit 136 and the valve 280 as shown. Activation of the air switch 204 also supplies pressurized fluid to an output conduit 312 to an ejector control air switch 208 which is activated when the carriage 62 reaches the end of its stroke adjacent the ejector mechanism 32 (FIG. 3, dotted lines). Activation of the switch 208 by the carriage 62 supplies pressurized fluid via an output line 314 to the right hand side of the valve 286 causing the valve spool to shift to the left. When the spool of the valve 286 shifts to the left, pressurized fluid from the main air branch 248 is directed through an output conduit 316 causing the ejector motor 210 to operate and rotate the left frame 216 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 3) to the eject position for ejecting the shade roll from the labeler into an awaiting carton or the like. With the spool of the valve 286 shifted left, a conduit 318 from the return side of the ejector motor 210 permits fluid to exhaust to the atmosphere through the valve 286. When the air switch 208 is activated pressurized fluid is also delivered to the air switch 224 via a branch conduit 320 connected to the output conduit 314. Air switch 224 is activated when the outer edge of the left frame 216 reaches its lowest position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 and when the air switch 224 is thus actuated, fluid is supplied through an output conduit 322 to the left hand side of the carriage cylinder control valve 284 shifting the valve spool back to the right for direct pressurized fluid via the conduits 304 and 234 through the valve into the rod end of the cylinder 228. As the carriage cylinder rod retracts the carriage 62 is returned to the start position and the air in the opposite end of the cylinder is exhausted through the conduit 232 and valve 284.

As the carriage moves on a return stroke, it momentarily engages and activates the air switch 226, which switch is supplied by an input conduit 324 from the con trol air supply branch conduit 250. When activated, the switch 226 supplies pressure via an output conduit 326 to the left hand side of the control valve 286 for the ejector motor 210. The conduit 326 is also connected to the right hand side of the control valve 280 for the label pickup cylinder 130. Shifting of the spool of the control valve 286 to the right by introduction of pressurized fluid to the conduit 326 returns the valve to the position shown and permits pressurized fluid to be exhausted from the motor via the conduit 316 while supplying fluid to the opposite conduit 318 to rotate the ejector shaft 212 back to the rest position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ready to receive the next shade roll from the carriage. Simultaneously the spool of the valve 280 is shifted to the left and this supplies pressurized fluid via the conduits 310 and 136 to the pickup side of the label placement cylinder 130 thereby initiating a cycle of operation of the label placer 28 including the pickup of a fresh label 36 from the stack contained in the trough 84 and the placement of the label on the floor 76 of the carriage 62 which has now been returned to the start position. After the label has been positioned above the carriage, the vacuum is broken to release the label from the suction cups 114 as previously described. In depositing the label, the arms 126 of the pickup mechanism of the label placer engage the air switch 236 which supplies fluid via a conduit 328 to the left hand side of the valve 280 for controlling the pickup cylinder 130. Shifting of the spool of the valve 280 back to the right initiates the return of the cylinder 130 to its original position in readiness for pickup of the next label and completing the cycle of label pickup and placement. In the event for some reason a fresh label 36 is not picked up and the operator wishes to manually reinitiate the cycle of label pickup, the air switch 288 is manually activated and this causes fluid to be supplied through a connecting conduit 330 to the switch 226 which is in the inactive position (opposite to the position shown in FIG. 7) and accordingly, pressurized fluid is supplied to the conduit 326 which is connected to the right hand side of the valve 280 thereby initiating another pickup and placement cycle of the pickup control cylinder 130. The pickup arms 126 on the pickup mechanism activate the air switch 236 when the label is deposited on the floor 76 of the carriage 62 and the valve 280 is then returned to the right by means of pressure fluid directed through the conduit 328, which fluid flow is cut off as soon as the valve 236 is no longer activated by the arms 126.

From the foregoing it will be, seen that automatic initiation of an operating cycle of the label placer 28 is normally provided by the pneumatic control system; however, if for some reason a label 36 becomes damaged or is not picked up, a manual recycle of the pickup mechanism may be initiated by means of the air switch 288 (shown in the nonactivated position in the drawings).

As a safety feature the fluid control system of the present invention is provided with a manually operated air switch 256 which is physically connected to the main air valve 254 via linkage indicated schematically by the dashed line 258. If for any reason an operator wants to immediately stop the cycle of operation of the machine and return the carriage to the starting position the safety valve air switch is manually activated and moved from the position as shown in the drawings to an activated position for the supply of fluid from the air control supply branch 250 via conduits 332 and 334 to the conduit 206 running between the air switches 204 and 224. The air switches 204 and 224 are normally in the rest position (not the activated position as shown) and the output air is thus supplied simultaneously to the output conduits 308 and 322 when the safety switch 256 is activated. -As previously indicated, fluid pressure in line 308 shifts the spool of the valve 282 to the right for returning the label pickup mechanism to the rest or pickup position with the arms 126 extending upwardly and retracting jaw cylinder 156 as in FIG. 3. Simultaneously, pressure in the line 322 shifts the spool of the valve 284 to the right causing the carriage cylinder 228 to return the carriage '62 to the starting position. When the main air valve 254 is turned on again, air will travel through the main air supply branch and will return the pickup cylinder 130 and the carriage cylinder 228 to their starting positions while the jaw cylinder 156 will already be in a retracted position.

From the foregoing detailed description it should be understood that the shade labeling device provides means for automatically placing coupons, labels or other wrappers on a rolled object and securing the label in place with adhesive strip means, which strip means does not directly contact with adhesive material, the rolled object itself or even substantial portions of the coupon or label. While the invention has been described in connection with coiled sheet material, namely window shade rolls, it is to be understood that the invention is extremely useful in the packaging and wrapping of other types of rolled sheet material including items such as maps, wrapping paper, charts, fabric and other types of sheet material which are sold in coiled rolls. It is normally not desirable to adhesively contact the material directly and any adhesive contact is made with the wrapper, label or coupon for identifying the rolled material or covering the same.

The present invention provides means whereby an operator with little skill may greatly speed up the process of wrapping labels or coupons around coiled shade rolls and the like and a machine produced in accordance with the present invention has been tested and operated successfully at production rates of greater than 20 shade rolls per minute. Moreover, provisions are made for safety and rapid stoppage of the machine if desired and in addition the machine is operated and controlled with a pneumatic system and requires no electric wires' or solenoids. 7

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a single illustrative embodiment thereof, it should be understood that numerous other'modifi- 13 cations and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Labeling apparatus for the nonadhesive application of sheet material wrappers for holding rolls of sheet material in coiled condition comprising: roll support means for receiving and supporting a roll of sheet material in coiled condition and movable between a roll receiving position and a roll discharging position; wrapper means mounted on said support means and movable therewith for receiving wrappers in flat condition and including a pair of pivotally mounted jaws movable between an open, wrapper receiving position and a closed position for coiling said wrapper around a coiled roll positioned in said roll support means; applicator means spaced between said roll receiving and roll discharging position of said roll support means for applying a length of adhesive tape across overlapping edge portions of a wrapper coiled around a roll upon relative movement between said applicator means and said wrapper means for retaining said roll and wrapper in coiled condition, said pair of pivotally mounted jaws adapted to remain in said closed position while said roll support means moves from said roll receiving position to said roll discharging position; and ejector means adjacent said discharge position of said roll support means for opening said jaws and removing a wrapped roll from said roll support means, said roll support means comprising a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement between said applicator means and said ejector means.

2. The labeling apparatus of claim 1 including feeder means for positioning wrappers in fiat condition on said wrapper means.

3. The labeling apparatus of claim 1 including first control means for sensing the presence of a roll in said support means and initiating movement of said carriage to pass said applicator means toward said ejector means.

4. The labeling apparatus of claim 2 including feeder control means responsive to the position of said carriage for initiating the pickup and placement of a wrapper in said wrapper means.

5. The labeling apparatus of claim 3 including second control means responsive to the presence of a roll in said support means for moving said jaws from said open to said closed position.

6. The labeling apparatus of claim 1 including ejector control means responsive to the position of said carriage for activating said ejector means to eject a wrapped roll from said apparatus.

7. The labeling apparatus of claim 6 wherein said ejector control means includes means for initiation of movement of said carriage on a return stroke after said roll is ejected therefrom by said control means.

8. The labeling apparatus of claim 2 including safety means for initiating return of said carriage to a starting position away from said ejector means.

9. A labeler for shade rolls comprising apparatus for applying sheet material wrappers for holding shade rolls in rolled condition comprising: shade roll support means for receiving and supporting shade rolls in coiled condition and reciprocally movable between a roll receiving position and a roll ejecting position; wrapping means carried on and movable with said support means for receiving wrappers in flat condition and including a pair of pivotally mounted jaws movable between an open, wrapper receiving position and a closed position for coiling said wrapper around a shade roll positioned in said support means; wrapper feed means for pickup of wrappers one at a time from a stack and placement of them on said wrapping means; tape applicator means positioned between said roll receiving and roll ejecting positions of said shade roll support means for applying a length of adhesive strip across overlapping edge portions of a wrapper coiled around a shade roll upon relative movement between said tape applicator means and said wrapping means for retaining said shade roll and wrapper in coiled condition, said pair of pivotally mounted jaws adapted to remain in said closed position while said roll support means moves from said roll receiving position to said roll discharging position; and ejector means adjacent said ejector position of said shade roll support means for opening said jaws and removing a wrapped shade roll from said support means.

10. The labeler of claim 9 wherein said applicator means is positioned between said wrapper feed means and said ejector means and wherein said shade roll support means includes a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement between a starting position adjacent said wrapper feed means on a forward stroke toward a finish position adjacent said ejector means and on a return stroke back to said starting position.

11. The labeler of claim 10 including pneumatic control means for moving said carriage on said forward and return strokes.

12. The labeler of claim 11 wherein said pneumatic control means includes first control means responsive to the presence of a shade roll in said shade roll support means for initiating a forward stroke of said carriage from said starting position.

13. The labeler of claim 12 wherein said first control means includes means responsive to the presence of a shade roll in said shade roll support means for moving said jaws from said open to said closed position to coil a wrapper around said roll.

14. The labeler of claim 13 wherein said first control means includes means for delaying the initiation of said forward stroke of said carriage until said jaws are closed.

15. The labeler of claim 10 wherein said pneumatic control means includes second control means responsive to a return stroke of said carriage for initiating the pickup and placement of a wrapper on said wrapping means by said Wrapper feed means when said carriage is returned to said starting position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,301,016 11/ 1942 Cannard 53-204 2,204,219 6/1940 Jahne et al. 156-481 X 2,822,105 2/1958 Miller 156-481 3,212,950 10/1965 Philippi 156-351 1,096,584 5/1914 Woodland 156-481 X 574,174 12/ 1896 Schloss 156-477 R 1,864,695 6/1932 Schneider et a1. 156-477 R 2,131,668 9/1938 Parsons 156-484 X 1,477,893 12/ 1923 Parsons 156-481 X 1,875,301 8/1932 Fredsell 156-364 2,503,989 4/1950 Armstrong et al. 156-351 CHARLES E. VAN HORN, Primary Examiner B. J. LEWRIS, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

